As Asiel points out, there is a huge difference with a "living will" (an oxymoron if there ever was) and euthanizing a person. A Health Care Power of Attorney or a "Living Will" allow someone other than the patient to make decisions otherwise left to the patient, but due to some reason, that person can't make the decision.

Where Asiel and I split off though, is the euthanizing aspect of the disucssion. If a person (not a doctor, not a wife...the actual person) wants to end their life, they should be permitted to do so. I think the person should be permitted to do so regardless of the validity of the reasons they might have. But, certainly, when faced with a devasting, incurable, finacially draining, and probably painful process, the person should be permitted to end the suffering. And, the doctor or person that faciliates (carries out) the patients wishes should be immune from liability.